1879. J ,:, 4J [Haupt. 



them, but a few suggestions may not be out of place as to the necessity for 

 more extended instruction in that branch of it which relates to the expres- 

 sion of ideas by graphical representations and especially by drawings. 



It is a matter of primary importance to the progress of civilization that 

 every avenue for the interchange of thought should be unobstructed, that 

 there maybe an unification of purpose and action ; and secondarily, that the 

 media used to convey such thought should be unambiguous and of general 

 application. Now, since all ideas must have for their subject matter things 

 physical or metaphysical, it follows that there may be a different form of 

 language used in giving expression to each. As most physical concep- 

 tions treat of tangible objects, having form, and as such form or line of 

 apparent contour is the first characteristic observed by the eye, and is 

 more or less familiar to all persons living within the habitat or range of 

 the object, it is natural that this form, more or less conventionalized or 

 symbolized, should have been used to represent the object in an unmis- 

 takable language. 



In developing the intellectual faculties of mankind, beginning with the 

 child, there is first the inception of an idea, derived from some form and 

 an associated sound, expressing its name ; this is followed by the repetition 

 of the sound by the child, giving rise to vocal language which is developed 

 in later years in the public school system of instruction by spelling and 

 reading. Thus the first, or oral, division of language is cultivated, while 

 the second, and more extensive in its range and application, the graphical, 

 does not receive the attention which its importance deserves. 



It is true that writing has long held an important place in our popular 

 educational systems, and of late years drawing has also been introduced 

 systematically, but as yet only so far as to cultivate the eye and hand in 

 sketching outlines and shading, that is, in making pictures and elementary 

 designs either for decorations or for the practice which such operations 

 afford in estimating magnitude, distance and direction. 



That important division of drawing which is the basis of the correct 

 interpretation of all forms and magnitudes and is of the greatest practical 

 importance to all artisans and many artists and professional men, is as yet 

 entirely ignored. 



I refer to a knowledge of elementary projections, without which a work- 

 ing drawing can neither be made nor understood, and the artisan destitute 

 of it is obliged to acquire the practical knowledge for the successful applica- 

 tion of his handicraft by long years of apprenticeship while he learns the 

 uses of the various templates that may be placed in his hands by a master. 



A moment's consideration will convince an observer that there are two 

 methods of representing objects, viz.: 1st, as they appear to exist, consti- 

 tuting perspective ; and 2d, as they do actually exist, as in projections, in 

 which, relative position, form and magnitude are given. The perspective 

 view is of little practical importance to the workman, as he is unable to 

 obtain from it the data necessary to reproduce the object. 



No two persons in an audience can see the same object from the same 



PROC. AMER. PHTLOS. SOO. XVIII. 104. 2s. PRINTED DEC. 12, 1879. 



